The Federal Tax Authority, FTA, has begun implementing the Value Added Tax, VAT, refunds for business visitors while noting that a dedicated application form for the procedure is available on its website.

In a press statement issued today, the FTA explained all the procedures with regard to the refund of VAT to business visitors. The FTA also published a guide through its website which can be accessed through the link: Guide – VAT Refunds for Business Visitors.

Khalid Ali Al Bustani, FTA Director-General, said, “Reciprocity is a key condition for the procedure, whereby the authority will collaborate with countries that refund VAT for UAE businesses visiting their territories.

“The procedure abides by Federal Decree-Law No. (8) of 2017 on VAT and its Executive Regulations, which call for refunding taxes on supplies or imports made by a person not residing in the UAE or any of the Implementing States, provided they meet the necessary conditions.”

The FTA clarified that the period of each refund claim shall be a calendar year, noting that for claims in respect of the 2018 calendar year, it started accepting refund applications as of 1st April, 2019. However, in subsequent calendar years, the opening date for refund applications submission will be 1st March of the following year. That means for the period 1st January to 31st December, 2019, applications will be accepted as of 1st March, 2020.